Repentance is given to the elect alone

Revelations 2:20-22 is not a proof text for common grace; nor is it for God's favour for all individuals whether elect or reprobate. But rather God gave Jezebel space to repent. She did not. Repentance is a gift from God. If God wanted Jezebel to repent he would have done so. Scripture says that Repentance is a gift from God. It is something God does - Acts 16:14, Haggai 1:14, Ezra 6:22. Unless God gives us repentance we will not do return - Jeremiah 31:18-19. Also read Psalm 40:6, 119:18, 143:11; 1 Samuel 10:9, Job 23:16.

Salvation by Christ alone for those whom He died for

One of the greatest things about being a fallen human being versus a fallen angel is that of knowing Christ, the Son of God, as saviour of sin.

"They that never hear of Christ, must perish. It is an idle dream, that the efficacy of Christ's death may be applied, and profitable to the saving of adult persons that never heard of him. There is no salvation for men but by Jesus Christ; there is no knowing of it, or partaking of it, but by the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation, Eph 1.13. Christ and his name go together: Acts 4.12." - Robert Traill, Sermons Concerning the Throne of Grace, pg. 44

Natural man cannot agree with God about Man's Impotence, and God's Omnipotence

"The utter impotence of nature, and omnipotence of grace, in the business of man's salvation, are stumbling-blocks to all the ungodly, but are foundations in Christian doctrine." - Robert Traill, Sermons Concerning the Throne of Grace, pg. 40

Salvation is God's gracious work not ours

"We do not contribute anything to our salvation, even our faith is the free gift of God, which passively receives and appropriates the imputed righteousness of Christ alone. It is the only object of our faith which justifies us before God - never the act of faith. The only object of our faith is the Gospel of Jesus Christ alone, the saving Gospel promises. Again, the object of our faith is not our works or anything in us, for we are justified by an alien righteousness, the covering righteousness of Christ alone." - Monty L. Collier, A Unique Kind of Righteousness, pg. 5

Romans 11

Just got done reading through Romans 10 - 11.

I had a childhood friend use Romans 11 to support the theory that a Christian can be saved at one time and then lose his salvation.

But the text does mean that. What it does say is that God has harden everyone or well has concluded all men in sin so that he might have mercy upon all (Romans 11:32).


Anyone who is saved is saved based on His mercy and grace alone that is free.

It is wrong to think that God has abandoned his people as Paul says in v. 1. For the truth is he hasn't. Paul says so in v. 2 - 5 there is a remnant that has not bowed the knee. There is a remnant according to the election of grace.

But even so there is a small remnant of Israelites that are saved, the majority are hardened (v. 7 - 11) for the sakes of the Gentiles.

This according to Paul is to bring about jealousy amongst the Jews that some might be saved (14).

God therefore has cut off the Jews so to graft the Gentiles in. This correlates to that which Paul speaks of in Ephesians 2. What then shall we say? Where then is boasting? No where. There is no room for it in grace.

It is by faith (the doctrine of Christ) so that it is by grace. Therefore, we ought not to be highminded.

For God did not spare the Jews neither will he spare the Gentiles for pride. This ought to therefore cause us to look to Christ and believe the gospel of Gods free grace and mercy.

The Pagan is in Danger of Hell Fire, the Carnal Christian is not

In response to Thomas Manton who said this, quoted in Gordon H. Clarks - What is Saving Faith, "'A man may be right in opinion and judgment, but of vile affections; and a carnal Christian is in as great danger as a pagan, or idolater, or heretic. . . .'"

Clark responds, "That a carnal Christian is in as great danger as a pagan is unscriptural. No one is to be commended for his carnality. Paul berated the carnal Christians in Corinth. But though their works shall be burned up, yet they themselves shall be saved. The carnal Christian is even somewhat better off than this. Since justification inevitably process sanctification,  the most depraved sinner who is born again must improve, perhaps slowly and with much difficulty, or sometimes with the success of John Newton. The pagan is in danger of Hell fire; the carnal Christian is not. To the extent that Manton depends on this false premise, to that extent his argument is vitiated." - What is Saving Faith

Needless to say we must understand the point of 1 Corinthians 3. Joseph Hussey strikes at the point of the passage in his work against Offerings.

Joseph Hussey says, "We must preach Effectual Grace, it being most suited to further God's building. So the words are in 1 Cor. 3:9, 'ye are God's building.' To this purpose, the Holy Ghost delights much to use the word instruction, which signifies a building upon. 'Tis instructing sinners, building up their principles, as grace, life and power upon Christ, which the Holy Ghost hath first laid into their hearts by the preaching of the Gospel. An Operation of the Spirit carries on God's building; but offers of Grace, proposals, or tenders of Salvation, neither instruct nor build up God's elect in the true mysteries of Grace and Salvation. Right preaching is a building of the new-born soul upon God's foundation, Christ. For why do I preach Grace, if God does not work by Grace? Better put on sackcloth and lie in the dust, and cry, Lord, show me thy truth, and let me not go on my own errand." - God's Operation of Grace, Pg. 189

Either Christ saves or we save ourselves

"Every doctrine, then, which teaches us to do or endeavour any thing toward our acceptance with God, stands opposed to the doctrine of the Apostles; which, instead of directing us what to do, sets before us all that the most disquieted conscience can require, in order to acceptance with God, as already done and finished by Jesus Christ." - Robert Sandeman


"To illustrate this matter, let it be remembered that the saving truth which the apostles believed was, That Jesus is the Christ. The apostles had one uniform fixed sense to these words, and the whole New Testament is writ to ascertain to us in what sense they understood them. Every one who believes that Jesus is the Christ in a different sense from the apostles, or who maintains anything in connection with these words subversive of their real meaning, believes a falsehood; so his faith cannot save him. In the days of the apostles many affirmed along with them, that Jesus is the Christ, who yet meant very differently from them. The far greater part of Christendom will affirm in like manner; yet we shall not easily find many who, when they come to explain themselves, have the same meaning with the Apostles. Let us, then, lay aside all questions about faith, or how a man believes; and let the only question be, What does he believe? what sense does he put on the apostolic doctrine about the way of salvation?" - Robert Sandeman, Theron and Aspasio, Pg. 258 - 259


Joseph Hussey would concur with Sandeman. He says, "If there were such kinds of hearers now in our assemblies, yet there would be none amongst any of us who have received the common doctrine of the Gospel to deny, that the said doctrine of Grace was to be preached unto them, according to the precedent in which the apostles did it. Here then we all agree without dispute, in one and the same affirmative." - Joseph Hussey, God's Operations of Grace, Pg. 26

All of grace and not of work

The gospel of Christ is a no strings attached news. It is not a tit for tat declaration. It isn't Christ died and now you must do something to make it worthwhile. It is the good news. News is declared. There are no you must do. The declaration is that Christ took away sins and appeased the wrath of God so that those whom he died for would be declared righteous because of what He did for them. This is the message that is declared. It is finished. It is accomplished. It is definite. It is particular. It is limited to those the Father gave to the Son. Christ shall not lose them. It is all of grace or it is of works.

Not a result of works in any sense

"Neither salvation, nor calling, is according to our Works: Grace and works are set in opposition, whenever the causality of our salvation is treated of: They cannot be, therefore, Con-causes of it. If it is of Grace, then it is no more of Works, otherwise Grace is no more grace: If it be of Works, then it is no more of Grace, otherwise Work is no more Work. It is not of works, lest any Man should boast." - John Brine, The Causes of Salvation and Vocation Considered, Pg. 13

The Christian wars with the system of darkness

In the first chapter of the Gita, the main character, who is about to enter battle with his family and friends, is overcome with a sense of pity and wishes not to enter into battle any more. The reason is that these men are his kin. He knows them and it would therefore be a grievous evil to battle against them, though they wanting to kill him would do so within a heart beat. Here the main character presents to us several ideas 1) should we go to war? 2) ought we to remain passive? 3) how should we think of our beliefs as suppose to others?

For the Christian, however, ideas are different. A Christian is one who accepts the gospel of God's free grace revealed in the Cross work of Christ alone. They see they are sinners lacking a righteousness of their own and so see that the righteousness that they have is the only righteousness that God imputes to them by free and sovereign grace in Christ alone. The Christian therefore sees any other worldly system as bulstering up of man's pride and selfrighteousness. Their aim, therefore, as a result of them being born again by grace alone, and as a result seeing their sin, and their need of a saviour and believing in Him alone for righteousness, is to present the points of the Scripture to their friends and family and to all who do not know God as their Saviour. They rather than succumbing to the idea that any one human being is ok and so therefore everyone is ok make war with the satanic doctrine with the gospel doctrine. They overcome evil with good and not with evil. The Christian does not do this out of pride for they did not come to these things on their own. Instead it was God that changed their minds and gave them a new set of beliefs.

As Paul says we make war but not with the weapons of the world.

Not by works of any kind no matter how perfect

"Let me tell you, that the Lord hath so established Christ, for the rest and life of men, that if they could yield angelic obedience, be perfect throughout in obedience to the whole law of God, and not fail in one point of it; if, I say, from such perfection of obedience they would gather up their own comfort, or conclude their own salvation; these persons should be damned, as well as those that sin ever so much: for God hath established Christ, and only his righteousness, to be the salvation of man; I say, only the righteousness of Christ; that if a man were so perfect, and in respect of that perfection, would leave the righteousness of Christ, and lean to the perfection of his own, for his peace, and salvation; that man would miscarry, and be damned." -Tobias Crisp, Christ Alone Exalted, pg. 157


Martin Luther says in the Large Catechism found in the Book of Concords, "Therefore the Ten Commandments do not by themselves make us Christians, for God's wrath and displeasure still remain on us because we cannot fulfill his demands. But the Creed brings pure grace and makes us upright and pleasing to God." (Pg. 420)

Gospel believers cannot be said to be Antinomians no matter how one spends it.

Since I received your unexpected letter, my thoughts have been led upon various accounts diligently to enquire wherein the radical difference between us lies. As for those charges frequently alleged against the Doctrine I preach, that it is Antinomian, derogatory from the work of the spirit, destroys the comfort of believers, and sets aside the use of exhortations both to believers and unbelievers, &c. These are particulars too BAD to be easily credited by those who know my general character and principles. And when such things as these are objected to me, I feel or am intimately conscious that the sentiments I espouse are not in the least degree chargeable with any such consequences. Every one that rightly understands them will presently perceive, that they cannot be Antinomian, because the truth appears to be of such a nature, that a person who believes can have no enjoyment of himself, but in loving and obeying it from the heart according to the precepts of the gospel. They cannot be said to derogate from the spirit' work, because 'tis all along aver'd that the gospel can take no saving effect but by the necessary, efficacious Almighty and sovereign agency of the divine Spirit. Neither do they destroy the comforts of a believer, because they continually present to him a compleat and free Saviour, for his immediate relief, and assert that the Spirit of God witnesses to the genuine effects of the gospel appearing in his experience and conduct. - Samuel Pike, Free grace indeed! Set forth in a Scriptural view of the principle of grace wrought in the heart by the Spirit, pg. 2

Christ's ethics based on the Ten Commandments

The ethics of Jesus is based on the ten commandments. These commandments were broken all the time by the religious leaders of his day. No doubt they are in fact broken by all mankind everywhere, but the religious leaders had a pertinent zeal for God's word that said "because I don't do x, y, and z, I have favour with God." These men, as long as they didn't commit murder or adultery were assured of their heavenly state; so to not break the law they placed around about it certain institutions to keep from having to break them. Of course, Jesus calls them whitewashed tombs. Outside they look clean but inside they were far from it. Today, we might see this very same thing in the world and amongst the professing Christian Institutes. As long as they don't do x, y, and z they are fine. Perhaps they have a certain positive change as well. They even perhaps give on occasion. But, these men have missed it as the proverbial horse and cart goes. Instead, Jesus says even if you lusted in your mind you have committed adultery. Even if you hated someone in your mind you have committed murder. Many false churches further teach some sort of rule as long as you desire to do x, y, and z you're fine. But these churches seem to have missed the point of the law. The law commands what is supposed to be done and what is not to be done. We are commanded not to worship idols but to worship God alone. What is commanded is both in the negative and positive light. So desiring to do x has no bearing at all. Sin is law breaking. All have sinned and have fallen short of God's glory, therefore the only hope for salvation is found in Christ work on the cross alone on behalf of his chosen sheep alone.

Discussion of the law and gospel

Kirk says, “Richard Bennett, My name is Kirk. I know Monty Collier and enjoy reading essays by Clark and Robbins from the trinity foundation website. I bought your book "Far from Rome, Near to God". I like it so far. I had a question. I am from the Dallas Fort Worth area in Texas and have not been able to find a church here to worship and fellowship. Quite frankly I may never find one. The churches around here are either Arminian or they are Reformed and succumb to the Lordship heresy of John Macarthur. Wondering if you knew of any good church located in this area?” Pastor Glen says, “Hi Kirk, It is good to hear from you. I am Pastor Glenn Diehl. I was raised up in Ft. Worth. I am presently living in the far northern part of California. It is my responsibility to answer Berean Beacon email. May I say, you are asking the wrong people about a church if you do not like Reform theology. ‘Far from Rome, Near to God’ is written by men who for the most part are reformed in faith. Reformed faith adherents believe in the Doctrines of Grace, and we also believe in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I don't know where you ever got the idea that believing in the Lordship of Jesus Christ is heresy. It is taught throughout the Word of God, particularly in the writings of Paul. Kirk, I am sure you are aware that is the problem with too many Christians today; they want to live anyway they like and still think they are going to heaven "because they prayed a ‘sinner's’ prayer sometime in their past.’ There is nowhere in the entire Bible where we are told to pray a ‘sinner's prayer.’ Jesus and the writers of the NT told us to repent and believe in the ‘Lord’ Jesus Christ. I exhort you not to jump over the word ‘Lord.’ We also believe in the doctrine of election that is so clearly laid out by the apostle Paul in Romans. So, Kirk, if the Doctrines of Grace, the Doctrine of Election, and the Doctrine of the Lordship of Jesus Christ offends you, we will not be able to direct you to a "good" church. Nonetheless, it is our sincere prayer that the Lord will direct you to a church that will exalt His name and teach biblical truth. Kirk, I do not believe it was by chance you came into contact with our book. I believe the Lord is trying to tell you something is amiss about what you presently believe. After 56 years studying the Word of God, I am thoroughly convinced that the doctrines I have mentioned above are biblical. John MacArthur is not perfect, but he is more solid in the Word than those pastors today who teach a watered-down, no blood, no repentance, no Lordship, seeker sensitive, emergent church nonsense gospel. Remember this, ‘Many are called, but few are chosen.’ ‘For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.’ Kirk, we are living in an era where there is much apostasy coming from our pulpits and supposedly ;Christian’ books. I encourage you to be like the Bereans and search the scriptures against anything you hear from others. Even from us. Richard Bennett and I both attend Reformed faith churches. He's in Yakima, WA, and I am in Redding, CA. I am an ordained Baptist minister. There are Reformed Baptist churches, though I have never attended one. But I would recommend you try one for a month or so and see if God would lead you to regularly attend. Kirk, you are in our thoughts and prayers. If you want to talk some more. please write again, or you can contact me on Skype. My contact information is: kittyhawk63@juno.com I look forward to hearing from you again. Remember, we are two hours behind your time. If it is 6pm your time, it is 4pm our time. The Lord bless you, brother, Pastor Glenn” My response, “I never said I did not like Reformed theology just wanted to clarify that. Perhaps I was not clear on that. I said that the Reformed churches in this area are more so catholic with their doctrine of Lordship salvation than anything else. In fact, I like to read guys like Gordon H. Clark, John Robbins. Monty Collier is currently teaching class over law and gospel distinction. I am a die hard five pointer - supralapsarian, Christ died only for the elect alone and no one else. Lordship salvation is the heresy that says that in order to be saved or keep ones salvation he must not only believe in Christ but also continue to do good works. You must not only believe that Christ is savior but also submit to his lordship. This is heresy in that it focus on one's works for assurance. Macarthur, who is not reformed at all, believes that a person cannot be justified if he does not have 'fruits'. This right here is not what the Bible says and I do ask that you would reexamine your stance on such things. Of course Christ is Lord, but this has nothing to do with whether I live rightly or continue in sin and the Reformers of old never said this as well. We are living in a day where people who do profess to be Christians are in fact not but are in fact legalist, and sadly John Piper, R.C. Sproul (Jr), and John Macarthur are leading this regime.” His response, “Yes, Kirk, I just read your message literally and it did not come across as you may have intended. We also agree that Christ died only for the elect even though salvation is genuinely offered to everyone. It is God the Holy Spirit's work to only quicken the elect that they may believe. I must again state we are in agreement with John MacArthur that true believers accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I state again the scriptures, and there are many in the NT, that we must ‘repent and believe in the ‘Lord’ Jesus Christ. It is not, ‘repent and believe in Jesus Christ.’ Jesus Christ is not a fireman who comes along and puts out the fires of hell for a particular individual without also demanding to be Lord of that person. In other words, true salvation comes when a person believes in the saving work of Christ on the cross and Jesus becomes Lord of that person's life. Kirk, I would agree with MacArthur. If a person who claims to be a Christian does not demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit and does not have any good works to show that they are saved, I would seriously question their salvation. I think that is the point MacArthur is making and definitely is the point the apostle James made. Read: http://www.faithstreet.com/onfaith/... Here you see this statement: ‘Broadly speaking, Calvinism encompasses the whole of Reformed theology and its doctrinal distinctives.’ John MacArthur is definitely Calvinist. Kirk, I think we may be at an impasse. One day all Christians will have their poor theology corrected and we will be of one mind. I look forward to that day. In closing, I say to you what I tell many others: Keep the Faith, share your faith. Pastor Glenn” My response, “Do you agree with John MacArthur's claim that the Gospel in its proper saving sense is ‘a call to obedience’?” His response, “Kirk, I am not a student of John MacArthur. My theology and beliefs are the result of my own Bible study. I do not deny that I have been taught many of the things which I have confirmed through my own study. I do not know what MacArthur teaches in many areas. I would say this to your question, if a person does not intend to obey the Lord Jesus Christ once saved, I would doubt that the person is truly saved. ‘Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.’ As you know from what is written, most of Jesus' words are commandments. The NIV says, ‘Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.’ Obedience is a sign of a changed heart. Pastor Glenn Diehl” My response, “You are familiar with the law and gospel distinction? Further how much is necessary before you know you are saved? How much sin is too much sin? I am sure you sin a lot.” His response, “Kirk, I have no desire, nor time, to continue this present conversation. Our ministry is solely focused on witnessing to Catholics who are enslaved by the false teachings of Catholicism and their four-fold requirement for salvation. We want Catholics to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We teach that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. If you want to discuss what John MacArthur teaches, which you consider heresy, I suggest you write to him and what you regard as heresy. We are not Grace to You nor are we pushing John MacArthur's theology. I have work waiting to do from Richard. I must go. If you want to know more what we teach, please avail yourself to our articles and videos on www.bereanbeacon.org. We try our best to be biblical in what we teach and yet we do not claim to be systematic theologians. When I told you that you could write, I was hoping you would focus on our ministry, not MacArthur's. Thank you for writing and may we end this interchange in good spirit. Good day, Pastor Glenn” My response, “I fail to understand why you think Macarthur is a good teacher, even when you have not read him and even when Catholics praise him?”

My sin is ever before me but I am saved by Grace alone in Christ alone

The lordshiper says if you're sinning then it must mean you are not actually saved. But, why such drastic assumptions? Why is it not because the Lordshiper has not himself submitted fully to his damnable doctrine? Why not say rather that a Christian is one who knows that they are sinners and because of that they turn to Christ in hope for salvation? Thereby why not address it at the heart of the matter, a Christian, one who accepts the gospel alone for life and sustenance, still sins the same sins that the non-elect sin and yet the cause of such horrible things is for us not to trust in ourselves but rather to turn to Christ and rest in him by faith aloneMy goal is to live honorably before the Lord. This might seem strange coming from someone who holds to the five points of grace and who is not a lordshiper. But, in reality I know I am a sinner and that I sin continually even when I am not thinking of it at the time my sinful thoughts are always before me but I know that the gospel only relieves me of the condemnation that my sins deserve. I try to stay out of trouble and try to live rightly and at peace with all men in so far as I can. Sometimes it doesn't help and so I say after I fall "glad that is over!"

The central difference between a believer and an unbeliever

The grand central difference, from whence arise all the others, may be thus express
He before thought, that there was a necessity for him to find some saving change or good disposition wrought in him, before he could have any peace in his conscience, or rest to his soul, from the perfect work of Christ presented in the gospel, and accordingly was distrest in his thoughts for want of perceiving it in himself, and therefore sought after it, and prayed for it, that he might obtain peace and hope towards God. And when he apprehended that he had found or obtained it, he laid the chief stress of his hope upon it. But now he finds relief to his conscience, not by discerning any favourable symptom about himself, but by understanding that blood of Christ is all sufficient and free, according to the divine testimony and this evangelical peace and rest thus obtained, becomes the root and spring of all that love and obedience, which distinguishes a believer from others. And so he now rejoices in Christ alone, having no confidence in the flesh. Phil 3.3. -Samuel Pike, Free Grace Indeed!, pg. 79

The Gospel alone is the principle or foundation of all true holiness

But I must nevertheless, preach and proclaim this freeness of grace to fellow sinners, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. Firmly persuaded, that this is the true grace of God, and the only sort of grace that can suit their condition, and that can upon a right principle or foundation, either relieve their consciences, purify their hearts, comfort their souls or direct their conduct, under the influence of the blessed Spirit. Yea, and I must look upon the welcome reception of this grace, together with holy fruits thereof, to be the true and proper proof of genuine Christianity in heart and life. - Samuel Pike, Free Grace Indeed!, pg. 3

The Gospel is both absolute and immediate

The true grace of God as revealed openly in the word of the gospel is both absolute and immediate.
It is absolute, requiring nothing for the helpless sinner to their endeavor towards obtaining an interest in the divine favour for Paul says, if it be by grace, it is no more of works, otherwise grace is no more grace, Romans 11:6. And it is immediate, affording relief previous to the exertion of any act of ours for the apostle directly saying but if it be of works it is no more of grace, otherwise work is no more work. Nay, unless the grace manifested in the gospel by Jesus Christ has both these properties, it cannot be free indeed. For how should that be quite free, which leaves the poor sinner any thing to do to obtain it; or does not hold forth to him such information as is sufficient to afford him immediate hope of salvation by Christ. Upon the whole then, I cannot but apprehend that revealed grace has these properties so that a person no sooner understand and believes it, but he is enlightened and relieved thereby, and it becomes a principal of all holiness and consolation to him, being taught of God, by the Spirit of truth and grace. - Samuel Pike, Free Grace Indeed!, pg.2

Elected not on the basis of foreseen works

"It is of course true that God knows the future, and it is equally true that history unfolds just as God knows it will. Certainly all things happen according to the foreknowledge of God. But, as the Westminster Confession, Chapter III, section ii, so explicitly states, 'Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions, yet hath he not decreed any thing because he forsaw it as future.' In very simple language, 'according to' and 'because of'' do not mean the same thing. Consider a railroad schedule. The trains run according to the timetable (or should), but it is not the timetable that determines their progress. The type of engine, the weight of the load, the traffic, the stability of the roadbed, the purpose of the train - all these determine the schedule. Thus the train runs according to the schedule, and if we know the schedule, they run according to our foreknowledge, but not because of it. Similarly with election. The mere fact that God knows ahead of time that a man will trust Christ is not the causal explanation of election. Election does not depend on God's knowledge of the future.
This popular confusion of phrases like 'according to' and 'because of' is also evident in a current interpretation of the Lord's Prayer. Some modern dispensationalist argue that Christians today should not use the Lord's Prayer because it says, 'Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.' Since we are saved by free grace in this age, we ask forgiveness not on the basis of our forgiving others but on the basis of Christ's righteousness. So far so good. But then dispensationalism says that in the millennium people will be saved by works, and will then pray to be forgiven on the basis of their conduct. In opposition to dispensationalism the Bible knows only one way of salvation, the glorious way of the cross. And the Lord's Prayer does not request forgiveness on the basis of our forgiving spirit, but modestly and in a humbling fashion beseeches forgiveness from God in proportion as we forgive others. A little attention to words, to prepositions, would save a person from such absurd and sinful doctrinal error." - Gordon H. Clark, New Heavens, New Earth, Pg. 88 - 89

It is not by our self-righteous works we are saved but solely the imputed righteousness of Christ alone

"If God promises riches, the way thereto is poverty. Whom he loveth him he chasteneth, whom he exalteth, he casteth down, whom he saveth he damneth first. He bringeth no man to heaven except he send him to hell first. If he promise life he slayeth first, when he buildeth, he casteth all down first. He is no patcher, he cannot build on another man's foundation. He will not work until all be past remedy and brought unto such a case, that men may see how that his hand, his power, his mercy, his goodness and truth hath wrought all together." -William Tyndale, The obedience of a Christian Man